Learn more about Frank Smith’s opponent, Travis Arbon who wants to better connect the Downtown Campus to the downtown community .
Frank Smith III, a general studies freshman and University College Senator, has wanted to be president since he met President Joseph Grossman in August last year.
“Joe is an inspiration to me,” Smith said. “I want to be like Joe, but better.”
Smith may get the chance to fill Grossman’s shoes come election season this April, if he defeats fellow Sen. Travis Arbon for the presidential seat.
Smith said he thinks he would make a lasting difference on the Downtown campus by connecting students with the community.
“There are students who still don’t know what First Friday is. Everyone says that everything is in Tempe, but we don’t want to hear that anymore.”
As an example, Smith referenced Cronkite Sen. Malcolm Brinkley’s recent World Fest event. He said the event was great but needed higher student attendance.
Smith will soon be joining Brinkley at the Cronkite School. He said his time with the exploratory program benefited him in many ways, but he’s ready to declare journalism as his new major.
“It shows that I’m not going to jump into something right away,” Smith said. “It shows that I take my time with decisions and make absolutely sure that I’m making an accurate decision. In the exploratory program, I was able to find what best suits me.”
Smith also didn’t jump into the decision to run for USGD president; he said it’s something he’s had on his mind all year.
“I told them (Grossman and Vice President of Policy David Bakardjiev) I wanted to be student body president when I first joined,” Smith said. “They were really supportive when I told them I wanted to run. They saw a lot of enthusiasm.”
Since joining USGD in September, Smith has helped write several Senate bills. This includes SB03, which he wrote with his opponent Arbon that aimed to extend the University Center Information Commons’ hours. Smith also wrote the recently passed SB04, which focused on improving ASU’s purchasing card system.
Smith also recently made his first trip to the Capitol, something current-President Grossman prides himself on doing frequently.
“I went down there to testify for (Arizona) Senate Bill 1208, which is a bill to allow former foster youth to receive a tuition waiver for any college or university in the state of Arizona,” Smith said. “I’ll go down to the Capitol whenever I have the chance. I have a lot of contacts down there, and I want to do whatever I can for higher education.”
Smith is trying to be visible not only in the Phoenix government, but also on campus. He says his visibility is his greatest strength in the race.
“I’m always going to all the events,” Smith said. “If you’re going to be president, you have to be visible. I’m at the Taylor Place events, all the football games and I’m known on campus. Talking to students as a peer and friend is the key.”
Downtown parking is one issue Smith said he wanted to focus on. He would like to see ASU parking options that allow monthly payments.
“It’s just more manageable, which can really help the students,” Smith said.
Smith said Arbon lacks the people skills he credits himself with.
“He’s always cooped up in the Senate office,” Smith said of Arbon. “Every time I see him, he’s not really out, he’s sitting by himself. He’s not interacting with students. I do my hours, but I’m also interacting with the students. That really weakens his chances of winning, being in the office all the time.”
Smith said he and Arbon have been more acquaintances than friends in the last year of working together. Smith mentioned he was one of the USGD members who interviewed Arbon for his position as senator for Barrett, The Honors College just two weeks after Smith was appointed.
“He’s really articulate,” Smith said. “He’s a smart guy, I’ll give him that.”
Smith said he knows he will be adopting a lot of battles from the Grossman administration, including the controversy around the Arizona Students Association from this year. Smith said he will do his best with what he’s given.
Smith wouldn’t answer whether he’s considering filling the ASA board of directors seat that Grossman left vacant, and said he needs to look at all the facts before making that decision.
Smith’s vice president of service running-mate is journalism freshman Marcus Dudas.
Dudas said he’s worked with many religious volunteer organizations, giving him the experience necessary for his position.
“I think I know my way around speaking to people and knowing what they want and helping organizations in the way they need it most,” Dudas said. “When I devote to something, I go all in.”
Smith’s vice president of policy candidate is nursing freshman Melber Macainan, who said he had a lot of experience in communication, technical programs and networking.
Contact the reporter at kevin.p.fallon@asu.edu
